School Starts: August 10, 2009
About 50 days ago, I proudly stepped into my new role as Superintendent of the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD). The community forums I attended during the candidate selection process had demonstrated that I would be working with a well-informed and involved community and an experienced and dedicated administration. I also knew that Arizona's budget was in turmoil and presented severe economic challenges to SUSD.
As I entered the District, I found a community and staff ready to roll up their sleeves, have their voices heard at the legislature and help SUSD get through this incredibly difficult time with understanding, support and dignity. This spirit of cooperation and collaboration makes SUSD a great school community. Read more...
Governing Board News
On June 30, the Governing Board voted to approve the District's 2009-10 Fiscal Year Budget as presented at the Board meeting on July 16.
The Governing Board approved the recommendations for classroom technology and the financing for the Capital Outlay Override at their June 16th meeting.
Included are the purchase and installation of Phase I and Phase II classroom technology equipment from CCS Presentation Systems. Originally, SUSD was going to roll out this new technology in two separate phases so classrooms would have received the Phase I implementation first. This includes a projector, a document camera and an audio system. Phase II, which is the installation of an interactive white board, would not have happened until the following year. The new plan calls for combining the two phases into a single roll-out, so that every classroom will receive the new technology at the same time. “Combining both phases is beneficial for the students, the teachers and the District,” explained Tom Clark, executive director for Technology and Information Systems for SUSD. By purchasing everything in volume, the District will have a better return on investment, and teachers and students will benefit by receiving all the technology at one time. Read more...
At the same meeting, Dr. Catalani presented the updated District Goals for the 2009-2010 school year; the current eight District Goals will be combined into three goals:
1. Improving Student Achievement
2. Improving Operation of the District
3. Improving Communication/Marketing Strategies and Effectiveness
The Governing Board voted on June 2nd to adopt a resolution to renew the K-3 Override and place it on the November 3, 2009 ballot. For more information about the K-3 Override, please visit http://www.susd.org/district/currinstruction/K3Override.cfm.
For the 2009-10 school year, there are notable changes for three SUSD schools.
- Redfield Elementary, 9181 E. Redfield Rd, Scottsdale 85260, combines the former Zuni and Aztec boundary areas.
- Cheyenne Traditional School has moved to 13636 N. 100th St., Scottsdale 85260.
- The Governing Board recently approved an address change for Coronado High School. The new address is 7501 E. Virginia Ave., Scottsdale 85257.
Remember to START SMART on August 10th!
Chaparral and Desert Mountain Make Top 1500 High School List
Chaparral High School and Desert Mountain High School were named as two of 2009's top 1500 high schools in the country, according to Newsweek's Web site. Chaparral and Desert Mountain are two of a handful of public high schools in Arizona to make the list. Desert Mountain was ranked 1125th, and Chaparral was ranked 1230th on the list. This is the fifth consecutive year that Chaparral has made the list and the third consecutive year for Desert Mountain. To view the complete list, please visit Newsweek.
Anasazi Elementary School has the distinction of being named a 2009 A+ School of Excellence by the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF).
A+ Schools are evaluated through an extensive application and rigorous site visit by the AEF A+ review panel, consisting of teachers, administrators, community volunteers and business leaders. Preparation of each school's application involves its students, faculty, administration and surrounding community.
The A+ School Recognition Program is designed to identify and recognize schools that exemplify excellence in student focus and support, active teaching and learning, curriculum, community/parent involvement, leadership and assessment data. Schools retain their A+ designation for a three-year period after which they may reapply.
This is the third time that the school is being honored with this award. Anasazi received the honors in 1995 and 2003.
Hohokam Elementary School is in the process of transitioning into a traditional school. Next school year will still be a transition year, but one change that will begin in August is the implementation of a new dress code. The Hohokam school community has worked hard to develop a list of fundamental beliefs referred to as the Traditional Pillars:
- Classrooms with a Strong Academic Focus
- Linear and Sequential Curriculum
- High Expectations for All
- Dress Code
- Partnership between Home and School
- Consistent Discipline
For the following school year—the 2010-11 school year—the campus will be fully transitioned to Hohokam Traditional School. The Scottsdale Unified School District Governing Board supported the transition and approved the new dress code during their April 7th meeting. For more information about Hohokam’s transition to a traditional school or information about the new dress code, please contact the school at 480-484-1800 or visit the school’s Web site.
"Excelerate" Your Business — Advertise on a SUSD School Bus!
Are you looking for an effective way to promote your business? By advertising on the exterior of SUSD school buses, you can increase awareness of your business and target specific demographics and neighborhoods.
The highly visible mobile billboards not only promote your company, but also provide much needed educational revenue to SUSD.
For more information about this unique advertising opportunity on SUSD school buses, please visit: www.media-aim.com
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Specialized programs – International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), Gifted programs, Fine Arts programs, Athletics, Special Education and more!
Outstanding teachers – SUSD has more "Highly Qualified" teachers, 97 percent, than any other Arizona school district.
Top test scores – SUSD scores are as much as 30 percent above state averages on AIMS and as much as 43 percent higher on Terra Nova.
New facilities – Arcadia, Chaparral, Coronado and Saguaro high schools have been reconstructed and renovations were made to Desert Mountain High School.
Scottsdale Unified School District!
